Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minor Policy

About Cathay Pacific

When your child is travelling alone, the stress increases tenfold. However, some airlines have child-friendly policies which ensure complete protection and comfort of the child throughout the journey. If your child is travelling with Cathay Pacific then rest assured, the airline offers unaccompanied minor service that ensures every parent about the wellbeing of the child while flying. Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor also enable children to travel more safely and comfortably to their destination. 

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, more widely known as Cathay Pacific is the largest  carrier of Hong Kong with its head office in Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, Cathay Pacific Airlines operates on 190 destinations in more than 60 countries worldwide as of December 2021. The fleet size of Cathay Pacific fleet is 153 and consists of narrow and wide body aircraft made out of two aircraft families.

Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines 

Children between the age of 6-17 years old travelling alone can request for unaccompanied minor service. As per Cathay Pacific Airlines unaccompanied minor policy, children between the age of 2 to 12 must be accompanied by their legal guardians or parents. The airline offers hassle-free travel for kids from the time they arrive at the airport to landing on the destination airport. However, there are certain guidelines that parents and guardians have to follow. 

• Parents or guardians must carry necessary documents including unaccompanied minor form, passport and visa of the minor and healthy certificate. 
• Unaccompanied Minors are not allowed to check-in online and must check-in at the airport counter. 
• During boarding, the unaccompanied minor will be escorted to the flight before other passengers as the unaccompanied minors are entitled for special treatment. 
• As mentioned in Cathay Pacific minor policy, children under 6 years are not accepted on board unless they are accompanied by a passenger who is at least 18 years old. 
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to accept on itineraries involving transfers that last more than 5 hours. 
• The airline advises parents and legal guardians that the unaccompanied minor’s connecting flight must arrive and depart from the same airport. 

Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minors 

There are certain guidelines that legal guardians and parents should follow to ensure a hassle-free flight journey. 

• Parents and guardians must provide a valid government photo ID proof such as passport, licence. 
• The documents must be presented 3 hours in advance of the scheduled flight. 
• According to Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor guidelines, Parents or guardians are requested to present unaccompanied minor forms at the airport at the time of check-in. 
• However, in case of international travel, parents should check the requirements of some countries with additional requirements for unaccompanied minors. 

Restrictions for Unaccompanied Minor 

The airline also has certain restrictions on unaccompanied minor policy to ensure the safety and comfort of the child. 

• Minors having any chronic sickness, a physical or mental condition are not eligible to travel alone without a legal parent or guardian. 
• Minors are not allowed to travel with pets, however, pets are allowed in case of emotional support. 
• As per Unaccompanied minor of Cathay Pacific, minors are not allowed to travel on Cathay Pacific if they have flight with other airlines. 
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to travel in case their connecting flight is departing from a different airport. 
• If the flight transfer exceeds more than 5 hours then unaccompanied minors are not allowed to travel. 

Country-Specific Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minor 

Some countries have specific rules and regulations when it comes to having children, especially unaccompanied minors travelling alone. However, these regulations are subject to change depending on the authorities of the specific countries. Parents or legal guardians may have to display health certificates to ensure the healthy condition of the child as mentioned in Cathay Pacific policy on unaccompanied minors. 

Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines in Italy 

• For children under 14 who are travelling outside Italy, they must travel with an adult at least 18 years old. 
•  The guardian should ensure that the unaccompanied minor must carry their passport throughout the journey. 
• Unaccompanied minors travelling out of Italy must carry a signed statement by both parents and legal guardians. The statement must include the airline’s name, along with the details of the parents and guardians who will be meeting the child at the arrival airport. 

Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines in Philippines 

• Non- citizens children under 15 living in the Philippines who are not accompanied by parents with the same last name must prove the relationship as per Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor policy. 
• The parent or legal guardian must carry a Waiver of Exclusion Ground if travelling without one of their parents. 
• The parents or legal guardians must get in touch with an airline representative of the Philippines in their country to arrange the required documents.   

Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines in South Africa 

•  Unaccompanied Minors must carry birth certificate or valid age-proof documents 
• Parental consent from one/ both parents before flying on Cathay Pacific flight. 
• Unaccompanied minors must carry government photo proof of both parents  and the person who will be picking up the child on arrival at the airport. 
• Children should also carry the name and address of the parents and legal guardians according to Cathay Pacific Airlines unaccompanied minor guidelines. 

Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines in UAE 

• Unaccompanied minors under 18 travelling in UAE must carry the details of legal guardians or parent’s last name and proof of relationship. 
• As per Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor policy, if a minor is accompanied by 18 years old must carry a signed authorised letter from the parents. 
• Children between the age of 6 and under 18 must book unaccompanied minor services. 

Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines in United Kingdom and Ireland 

• Children under the age of 16 travelling as unaccompanied minors must carry a consent form signed by the legal guardians and parents. 
• Children must carry complete details of their parents and the person who will meet them at the airport as per Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied minor policy. 
• In case of the demise of a minor’s parents, the legal guardians must display the death certificate. 

Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines in France 

• Children under 18 travelling from France must carry a notarized permit of travel in absence of parents or legal guardians. 
• They must carry a passport, permit of travel, along with details about parents. 

Unaccompanied Minor Fee 

As per Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor policy, the children must travel on adult fare plus one-way unaccompanied minor service fee ranging from USD 65 -130. 

Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minor While Travelling 

Cathay Pacific policy of unaccompanied minors has certain guidelines when the unaccompanied minor is travelling. These guidelines are created to ensure that the child experiences a smooth journey with Cathay Pacific. 

Boarding and Take off 

• As per Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor policy, unaccompanied minors along with their parents must reach the airport at least 3 hours before the flight takes off. 
• Parents are advised to remain at the airport for 15-20 minutes after take off to ensure that there is no reroute of the flight. 
• In case of cancellation or delay, Cathay Pacific Airlines will inform the legal guardian or parent through email, message and call as mentioned in Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor. 
• From the check-in counter, a Cathay Pacific guard will escort the child through the check-in counter, security checkpoints and to the boarding gate. 
• Lastly, the staff will ensure that the child is seated in the aircraft securely. 

Connecting Flights

• In case of a connecting flight, the Cathay Pacific Staff will take care of the child during the period of change. 
• As per Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor policy, the duration between the original and connecting flight must not exceed more than 5 hours. 

During Flight 

• The airline ensures to offer best assistance and comfort to your child throughout the journey. Cathay Pacific personnel will escort the child to its seat in the flight before take off according to unaccompanied minor Cathay Pacific. Also, the flight crew will ensure to take care of the minor throughout  the journey.
• Parents or the legal guardians of the child must ask the child to inform the cabin crew in case of any assistance. 

At the Arrival Airport 

• Upon arrival, a Cathay Pacific staff will escort the child through the custom and baggage converter to pick up any checked luggage if any. 
• Lastly, the personnel will escort the child to the arrival area to meet the person who has been designated to pick them up. 
• However, before handing over the child, the staff will ensure to check the identity and relationship of the person picking  up the child as mentioned in the Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor policy. 

How to Book Unaccompanied Minor Service in Cathay Pacific  

There are several methods to book the Cathay Pacific flight for unaccompanied minors. Unaccompanied minor service can be availed by parents either through the online website or contact the customer support of the airline. 

One must reserve the service at least 24 hours in advance before departure. 

Contact the Cathay Pacific Customer Support 

To initiate the process, you can call the Cathay Pacific helpline number and seek assistance from the airline’s representative.

It is always better to reach out to airline representatives to get precise information regarding requirements before booking the flight. 

Through Online Method 

To book the flight for unaccompanied minors Cathay Pacific through the online method, you simply have to login the website. 

• Visit the Cathay Pacific official website. 
• Choose the departure and destination along with the number of children travelling as unaccompanied minors. 
• Confirm the booking and at the checkout pay the Cathay Pacific unaccompanied minor fee with the airfare.
• At the airport, submit the forms at the check-in counter to complete the check-in process and receive the boarding pass.

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